There are surfboards that are real icons. Legendary models to say the least that have written the history of surfing and have now become a point of reference for surfers. Of course there are many shapes that have earned the right to enter the surfing hall of fame, and every surfer has his favorites... today we decided to take a close look at three of them, analyzing their history and characteristics to understand what makes points reference in the world of longboards.
Walden Magic Model Longboard
Steve Walden is considered by many to be the "father of the modern longboard". He started working as a shaper in 1961, at the age of 13 and his focus has always been longboards. In the early eighties he introduced his most famous shape: the Magic Model, a shape that stands the test of time thanks to its versatility and unique design features.
The Magic Model is a modern longboard, an all-around performance noserider longboard. Its success is due to the fact that it is a longboard that works well in all types of waves, from the smallest and mushy ones to the biggest and steepest ones, and truly suits all skill levels. All this in the Magic Model is possible thanks to the unique characteristics, which can be summarized in 3 main points:
1. Magic Bottom: The hull of the board has a single concave under the nose, which becomes a double concave towards the center of the board and ends in a moderate "V" towards the tail. This particular concave helps make smooth rail to rail transitions and more importantly adds lift and stability which are essential in noseriding.
2. Magic Rails: the edges of the board are hard, i.e. rather sharp-edged, unlike what happens in most longboards which instead have rounded edges. The edge of the board, it is known, affects both its buoyancy and its maneuverability and stability. The "hard" edges of the Magic Model, combined with the concave of the hull, make the board fast, reactive and maneuverable in all conditions, while maintaining excellent stability.
3. Magic Rocker: The rocker of the board is optimized to offer maneuverability on the tail and control during nose-riding at the same time.
The combination of these three "magic" elements makes the Walden Magic Model one of the best-selling and best-loved longboard surfboards of all time. A high performance all around longboard that can truly be used by any surfer in most conditions.
Generally available in Single + 2 fin configuration and sizes from 8 to 10 feet.
(Ex. standard dimension: 9'0" x 22 x 2 3/4" - 67Lt)
TIP: Board for everyone in all conditions
Mc Tavish Nosa 66
Bob Mc Tavish is an Australian surfer and designer who contributed to the shortboard revolution. Nevertheless he is also a shaper particularly loved by longboarders, having put his signature on some of the most iconic models such as the Nosa 66, a Classic LOG that has been in production for 50 years now and which is still, according to Bob, one of his boards most beautiful!
The original design of the Nosa 66 was developed by Mc Tavish in the mid sixties, hence the name. Just before the explosion of the new shortboard phenomenon.
The Nosa 66 is a splendid example of a Classic longboard, available in standard sizes from 9 to 9.8. Flat rocker profile that makes it a true paddle machine, rounded 50/50 edges that ensure stability for cross stepping and nose riding and a rounded "Belly" bottom that results in super soft and smooth transitions.
Nosa 66 is a longboard with a classic and timeless style that is suitable for rather experienced longboarders and gives its best in wave conditions up to the head. When it comes to bigger conditions controlling this type of longboard becomes quite technical and not simple. Unless you're a really experienced longboarder the ideal condition is from the shins to the head.
As for the fins, Nosa 66 is strictly a Single Fin. McTavish would suggest using it with the (rather unobtainable) McTavish GG fin.
(Ex. standard dimension: 9'0" x 22 1/2" x 2 7/8")
TIP: Board for intermediates and experts in waves up to the head
Takayama In The Pink
Donald Takayama was a professional surfer and shaper inducted into the International Surfing Hall of Fame in 1991. In The Pink is one of his most iconic shapes, a high performance noserider, with an eye for all-condition versatility.
In The Pink it is characterized by a slight nose rocker and 60/40 rails which ensure excellent paddling ease. The wide nose is designed to offer the greatest possible stability when nose riding. The tail with a narrow square tail and stiff edge rails help maneuverability.
A longboard with an excellent balance between performance and versatility, designed as a one longboard quiver, to perform well in all conditions. In The Pink is a longboard that works well in most conditions, although the fairly flat rocker makes it quite technical when the wave gets really steep.
The focus is not on speed and performance but it is a board specifically designed to aid in noseriding.
Generally available in Single + 2 fin configuration and sizes from 8.6 to 9.6 feet.
(Ex. standard dimension: 9'0" x 22.9" x 3" - 70.16L)
TIP: Board for intermediates and experts to improve noseriding without sacrificing turning performance.
E tu cosa ne pensi di queste longboard? Ne hai provata una... o magari tutte?!
Pubblicato il 16 febbraio 2023 | Blog > Equipments: SURF